Khasab, Oman

Port

With a rugged coastline slashed by narrow fjords, Oman's Musandam Peninsula is often called the "Norway of Arabia." Separated from the rest of the Sultanate of Oman by the United Arab Emirates, the peninsula is a rocky headland jutting into the Strait of Hormuz, forming one of the most strategic shipping lanes in the world. Along the scenic east coast, native dhows ply the waters where spinner and bottlenose dolphins are often seen. Ancient towns such as Khasab, the capital of the region, and Bukha offer centuries-old forts and a compelling glimpse into the essence of Arabia.